While the cats and kittens here are well taken care of by the solicitous staff, Nekoya also goes out of its way to make human visitors welcome, with comfortable massage chairs, a big library of manga to read, and free WiFi. There's plenty of room for both people and cats to stretch out in the spacious playroom - the largest in the Tokyo area.

We happened to arrive during snack time (around 6pm), and we were given a handful of cat treats to dole out as we saw fit, which helped us make friends quickly, if perhaps only briefly. The staff stay busy keeping the seventeen cats here entertained with various toys, and the residents include several playful kittens, which keeps things lively.

The cat breeds here include all your favorite cute and photogenic breeds such as Scottish Fold, Himalayan, Bengal, Norwegian Forest, Munchkin and Exotic Shorthair, and some more exotic types including a Japanese Bobtail, Devon Rex and a cross between a Russian Blue and an American Curl.

Pricing plans start from one hour, and drinks are Y100 each - just help yourself from the well-stocked refrigerator.

Click on photos below to see larger versions

Nekoya

048-644-0660

Omiya / Cat cafe

Open 11am-10pm daily.

Cover charge is Y1000 for the first hour, and Y200 for each additional 15 minutes.